No More Learning

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? - 140 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1607.
they were originally sold for a gazetta, a Venetian coin worth two pence,
hence called Gazettes; in Rome they bore the name of Avisi or Reporti.
They were taken from dispatches receivedby the Republic by the secre-
taries, or others employed in the Ducal Chancery, who enjoyed the profits
of this sale as a perquisite. The Pope continued to blame the theologians,
Contarini to exonerate them, hence we learn that Fra Paolo frequented
the British embassy. This was also repeated by the Cardinal Borghese.
" We have sure intelligence from Venice how these good Theologians
assemble with the Ambassador from England, with English, Flemings,
and others infected in the linen Warehouse of Cicchinelli, where they
have a room, and say the worst they can of us, of the Pope, and of the
apostolic chair. This is a thing that is public; one cannot dissemble but
that such an assembly is notorious to every one, and even the place and
the room are known, which are important details. Let the Lord Ambassa-
dor now see what good will these Doctors in Divinity hear us, and be
pleased to write to Venice, whether (independently of their having been
declared excommunicated for the fine things which they wrote against us
which are known to every body, as likewise on account of this assembly
wherein. from its members one can understand what they say of us) they
deserved to be protected and pensioned by the Republic. " '
The search for and prohibition of books had been relaxed at Venice,
this pleased Sarpi, but gave offence to the Pope. He complained to
Contarini, who thus wrote to the Doge.
" Most Serene Prince,
"' On this occasion, when his Holiness was treating of the Inquisition,
looking at me with joyous countenance, he added, we are likewise expecting
these Lords to form some holy resolve concerning these theologians (con
allegra faccia), who, having written and preached manifest heresies, con-
tinue to say mass, to frequent the churches and the choir, and to cause
themselves to be considered saints; and that Friar FulgentiofI ' (and
this he uttered laughing), he-u-ado:-steed," has had a _portrait of himself
printed in copper, with a crucifix in his hand, and it is sold about Venice;
your excellency must know it, and indeed it is a source of considerable
alms.
" He is moreover excommunicated, particularly having preached that
the communion ought not to be frequented, nor confession made so often,
blaming the exercise of the Christian doctrine) 'fh'e're are existing here
1 MSS. Contarini.
2 Fulgentio Manfredi.
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? E1'. 55. ] FHA PAOLO SARPI 141
depositions to this effect, made by divers witnesses de auditu. Maestro
Paulo is considered so learned, and yet one reads in his works many opi-
nions of authors condemned as heretical by the councils; and the cogni-
zance of similar matters as regards the apostolic chair, as has been custo-
mary for so many centuries with regard to matters of faith, wherein it_can- J'P~''
not err, our Saviour having said, " Non deficiet fides tua. " He said it
was told him that the English Ambassador had sent the portrait of 'Fra
Paulo to his king, and in Frankfort, where as many Catholic as heretical
books are printed, they had placed the book entitled " Le Considerazioni "
of the said Fra Paulo amongst the heretical works. That he was urged to
permit the execution of what is usual against excommunicated persons,
who, at the expiration of a year, are proclaimed heretics and burned in
effigy publicly.
" He professed to love the Republic with all his heart, and that he wished
to gratify her, as might be deduced by your lordships from the adjustment
made, as such was contrary to the opinion of almost all the college of Car-
dinals and of others, and that although he then armed for war, yet his
thoughts were turned to peace; but concerning these theologians he wishes
your Serenity to form some resolve becoming your piety. I, seeing that
he had this time launched forth beyond his wont on former audiences,
replied -- Holy father, the point that your Holiness now touches upon
is one of great importance ;\ were I to state my sense thereon in full, I
should say, with the greatest possible respect, that the best expedient would
be not to discuss this matter, by reason of its very great difficulties and
consequences of extreme moment as can well be imagined. I will not
speak of portraits or similar things, because I have no knowledge thereof;
neither does it seem to me of import to dwell thereon, though I shall
observe that as your Holiness has removed the occasion of war and disturb-
ance, which fact obtains for you singular merit before the Lord God, and
infinite glory in the eyes of good men; you may be pleased moreover to'
withhold encouragement from those who under pretext of religion wish to
see every sort of misunderstanding between your Holiness and the most
serene Republic; but I hope in his Divine Majesty that they will not suc-
ceed in their perverse designs, and of a surety it will one day be neces-
sary for me to state some details hereof to your Holiness; similar individuals
would very willingly desire the burning of effigies, and other similar de-
monstrations, with a view to the introduction of the greatest possible in-
convenience. I know that when that Fra Fulgentio preached, strict inves-
tigation was made, and it was reported in the most excellent college that
he preached sound and Catholic doctrine, and if he himself confessed and
communicated frequently, I do not see how they could tally, the preaching
one thing in the pulpit, and the acting in contradiction elsewhere. The
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? 142 THE LIFE or [. . 'D. 1607.
most serene Republic cannot abandon these who have written in her favour,
and have served her on the late occasion; so I prayed him by a single
stroke to sever or separate himself from the path of malignity, and with
his great prudence to apply the true remedy to this tortuous affair.
-)'< " " Con un colpo
'ml
4,. 5":
A
solo; ogni maggior piacevolezza, bisognarebbe che fosse un colpo da mae-
stro? " With a single blow, it must be a master stroke.
" Such precisely I enjoined it would be, on proceeding from his Holiness
and from his great ability; nor did the same disorders even require the
same remedies, circumstances alter matters notably; when ordinary affairs
are treated, it is true that the usual terms are adopted; should a private
individual be excommunicated, and not act becomingly at the expiration
of a year, he is declared an heretic, and one proceeds according to the
canons-, but in great and extraordinary cases, and which tend beyond, it is
necessary to proceed in modes both unusual and peculiar to the time and
matter under consideration. So I made sure that with his goodness and
prudence he will find the road easy, speedily burying the whole in oblivion,
and confounding the evil-born desires of scoundrels. The Pontifi" assured
1ne that his thoughts were frequently directed to this end; but he could
not discover the way, and that he wished that by me (to use his own words),
' by your Excellency's being replete with such great knowledge and intel-
ligence, ' the mode might be suggested to him for acting well concerning
such a matter, and in the meanwhile he should continue to pray the Lord
God to be pleased to inspire him for the best, although he did not at pre-
sent see what he could do, and he added those precise words, ' Let them
come, for we will willingly embrace them. ' The Pope said that I was to
write to your Excellencies what he had stated to me.
" I assured him that I would obey him, as such was my duty, but
that this was pefiititio principii, and a return to the original disorder. I do
not at all doubt but that if the Pontiff did discuss these matters, it was at
the instigation of others who, under the pretext of good, do not cease to
suggest these conceits to his Holiness. At the close of these topics, which
passed off with extreme tranquillity, his Holiness began to talk about the
Jesuits and their revenues, and asked why they were excluded? To this,
amongst other replies, the ambassador Contarini referred the Pope to their
treatment of the Republic, calling her in their printed works, the most vile
and abject nation in the world. In these matters, concludes his Excel-
lency, although the most disagreable that can be treated of, the Pontiff
nevertheless conducted himself as quietly as possible; and although I
every now and then kept answering him contrary to his intention, and
excluding all discussion as much as I could, still/X' listened to the whole
without the slightest emotion. "
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? ET. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 143
The Contarini despatehes of this, and subsequent dates, are but a tissue
of complaints on the part of the Pope, and of denial on that of the Vene-
tian envoy. That Fra Paolo believed after the raising of the censure by
the Cardinal J oyeuse, he was no longer excommunicated by the Pope, is
confirmed by a letter to the Cardinal Borghese from the Inquistor of . '
Ravenna of the sixth of September 1607. The Court of Rome, however,
held that the Servite Friar was still excommunicate, and there seems no
doubt that the Pope, Camilla Borghese, broke faith with the Friar, Paolo
Sarpi. On one occasion it Was proposed that he with the other theologians
should perform penance. To which the Ambassador answered, " that
penance, be it severe or light, implied sin, which the theologians afi'ir-
- med they had not committed. " The state of the papal mind is clearly
shown by Contarini's despatch to the Doge. Paul was jealous of the coun-
sels still given by the Servite to Venetia, and appeared resolved at all
hazards to press the Doge and Senate to give him up.
" Most Serene Prince, -- It having been communicated to me by the
French Ambassador, that at his residence last week, the Pope told him
that having understood from me, in the course of divers conversations,
how slight an inclination exists for giving him satisfaction about the
theologians, he had a great desire to terminate in some way the impor--
tunities and molestations received by him from sundry quarters, urging
the Ambassador to restore the dignity of the Apostolic Chair, thus
spurned; added to which he will at the same time find some remedy
against these excommunicated individuals celebrating the mass and other
divine services; and that I adduced no other remedy save that" by a
single stroke, " by which he might terminate the whole, but that I did
not condescend to any detail, and therefore it was not becoming to keep
matters in any obscurity or doubt, to which the Lord Ambassator deemed
it necessary to reply, that through his Nuncio, who is on the spot, his
Holiness might witness the end thereof, by sending him such authority as
would suffice to settle the Whole, and in like manner, as many exclaimed
before the adjustment, and then were quieted, so would it be likewise in
this instance, if entirely settled Without further delay, whereupon the
Pontiff remained somewhat in suspense, and thanked the Ambassador.
His Holiness added that he had thoughts of authorizing the Nuncio to
send for the theologians, but that it should be first intimated under
hand, whether they would go, so as not to risk the Nuncio's dignity, in
case of their '1-efusing, so the Ambassador aforesaid requested I would
write to your Serenity, being of opinion that if a promise should be made
to this effect, the whole might be shortly settled to mutual satisfaction,
meaning to hint precisely as the rest has been arranged, praying me, that
all might be kept most secret, as if the Pope's inclination Were known
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? 144 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1607
again, very great murmurs would be heard from the Cardinals, who hear
these matters according to their own views. I did not refuse to execute
what he wished, but observed, that the general reconciliation ought to
have sutficed. In virtue thereof these affairs likewise were meant to be
pacified, and although the Ambassador is well informed of the whole,
nevertheless I omitted again to tell him the necessity for the public
protection, the which, in durability, will never fail the Qiesaid theolo-
gians. " Gratiee (E0. ' _
Although it was partly obvious to the Ambassador that the Court of
Rome was uneasy, and it seemed as if there might shortly be a rupture
with Venice, still Contarini does not appear to have been suspicious of
any immediate danger to Fra Paolo; nevertheless he feared that all was
not well, by the multiplicity of letters which came to Rome from Venice.
Upon one occasion, the Ambassador, having warmly taken the part of the
theologians, the Pope said, " Do not exert yourself my Lord Ambassador,
I admit all that has been said, I am most ready for every good, but cannot
condescend at present. I believe you saw the drift of what ' I said before,
that Ishould have it said of me now, that I concede the tenths to the Re-
public. It is but a question of three or four cases of this sort, in the course
of the year, which do not at all prejudice the authority and jurisdiction of
the Republic. The Procurator of the Servi 'has informed us, that in the
monastery in Venice, by order of the Lords, Chiefs of the ten, that there
hgve been officers to inspect all the writings; when laymen perform these
functions, there is no longer any occasion to maintain Priors, nor Generals
of the Orders. The Patriarch comes not; the Theologians still perform di-
vine service in contempt of the Holy Chair, although excommunicated,
not forsooth for having written the Republids reasons, as, had they limi-
' ted themselves to this alone, it would have pleased and gratified us, but
because of the heresies which they have uttered publicly, That tempo-
ral princes have power direct from God over ecclesiastics. This is an
infidel proposition, condemned by the High Pontiffs with the assent of
men remarkable for their learning who have written thereon. Monsignore,
the Nuncio mentions/having spoken in the College about a priest of
Ascola. who has been put in prison, and yet//there are the Bishops to
Whom these trials should be left. " All this proved that every thing done at
Venice was known at Rome, all that Contarini could do was, to give re-
spectful advice of all that might reach his notice. Of the same date is a
singularly incoherent, but curious and secret communication, addressed to
the Doge Leonardo Donato by him from Rome, September 29, 1607.
" Most Serene Prince, -- I send to your Serenity, here annexed, what
1 Sep. 15. 1607 - both from Rome, 28 Sep. 1607. MSS. Contarini.
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? Air. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 145
has been told me in confidence, about a certain machination to be execu-
ted in Venice, or shortly distant thence, with other details, which such as
\ they may be, I have not chosen to keep to myself, but for every good end
have deemed them worthy of your cognizance, and should anything else
be communicated to me, I shall not fail to give advice thereof.
" In Rome, 25th September,\in the Palace of S. Mark, Messer Flavio
Martignone, oflfizsso Ferrato, latelancient Cattaro, with the Lord Colonel
Guilio da Mont Abolto, now resident here in Rome for his private affairs,
having come to the Most Excellent the Lord Ambassador, deposed having
first made the greatest possible instance for its being kept very secret,
which was constantly promised him.
" I have served the Most Serene Republic; I have received good trea-
ment, and purpose re-entering her service, I shall go in a month at the
farthest, I shall betake myself either to the said Lord Colonel at- Zara, or
to Venice, from my own instinct, I revere the Most Serene Republic as
much as ifwere my natural sovereign, and with zeal for her Welfare, I am
come to notify what I know of an affair which I deem of great importance.
" Last year, at the time of the disturbance between the Pope and the
Republic, there was in the garrison of the Rovigo a captain named Fulvio
Cesenari, of in Umbria. He was imprisoned with an ancient of his,
called there Rotilio Orlandini of"l"e? rni, they being accused of a plot to
surrender Rovigo to the General of Ferrara, and they were released; yet,
I am sure they had this understanding with the Signor Paulo Savelliq
the general of Ferrara, for here in Rome I have seen letters written at
that time in Rovigo, and signed by the said captain and ancient, whereby
they promised the said Savella) to give the town (Rovigo) into his hands,
saying that they had two or three gates in their power, and that they had
the soldiers of their company (200, if I mistake not) in readiness. "
Being interrogated, he replied,
" I saw no other detail in the letters, they appeared to have been writ-
ten previously, and several letters had passed, indeed, I know that the
ancient had been repeatedly to Ferrara; they said in the letter that they
were ready to give him the town whensoever he should present himself. " 1
Being interrogated, he replied,
" I saw this letter at the time here in Rome, when the general sent it
to his brother, for him to show it to the Pope. It was shown to me by his
secretary, my intimate friend. pAfter that, the ancient and the captain were
released from pri'son,l_Rovigo, the captain, was sent with his company to
Padua, where he still is, and the ancient came here, with a safe conduct
from the Pope, for he was an unfrocked friar of St. Paul's " (one of those
friars dressed in black, with wide sleeves) " and a highwayman; his true
name is Achille Orlandini, of Scantriglia, a small castle in this Campagna,
5/42. .
in
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? 146 THE LIFE OF [A. D- 1607.
twenty-five miles distant from hence. In his order he was called Friar
Arsenio. He was not ordained; but at Rovigo changed his name to Roti-
lio, as I have stated. Being here in Rome (for he came for a week or a
fortnight, and resided permanently at his village), he received absolution
for himself and for two of his brothers-in-law, natives of his village, who
were banished, I know not why. Neither do I know their names. I
was acquainted with this ancient when he was a friar and since, and con-
versed with him after his return to Rome, and have eaten with him seve-
ral times. The last time I saw him was on Friday, the 21st inst. , and he
told me that he was to leave us today for Venice with these two his
brothers-in-law; they are little dark men, dressed in grey or russet cloth
as peasants, I will, moreover, endeavour to bring you their names. He
invited me to go with him, and told me that he was going to do a certain
deed, and that he had been promised 8,000 crowns. I answered him as
if undecided, and this I did in order to learn the details better, but he _
never spoke to me more openly, save that he was therefore taking with
him those two brothers-in-law, and on Friday he told me he had received
a letter for the said monies to be paid in Ferrara, immediately after the
execution of the deed. I am not able to discover for certain whether this
deed is to be done in, or out of Venice, but he is going te Venice. "
Being interrogated, he said, -
" He is not going post, norin haste, indeed from what he said he will
reinain three or four days in Ferrara, and perhaps in passing through Far-
rara will go to his captain. "
Being interrogated, he replied,
" He is going to do this deed by order of the masters here, he says he
has spoken with the Pope, but he certainly negotiated with the Secretary
Della Consulta, for he, that is to 'say the ancient, has told me so several
times. "
Being interrogated, he' replied,
" I think this deed which he has to do is some murder, for he told me
he shall do all in an hour; he moreover appeared not to intend residing
in Venice, but out in the country to await time and opportunity, and he
likewise spoke to me in such a manner that I may also suppose it his
intention to wait until that person, or those whom he may mean to kill,
shall go out. I have nothing else to communicate; but they are all three
vassals of the Signor Giovanni Orsino, in Whose house I dwell, and who
is expected from his castle in ten days or a fortnight, and on his arrival,
I shall elicit something else from some of his servants, for I pass for the
confident of these men, and will come and tell your lordship. "
Being interrogated, he replied,
" Besides the letter which I saw, written by the captain and by this
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? ll'. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 147'
man to Savelli} about betraying Rovigo to him, this said ancient spoke to
me of the plot, but without coming to details, save that he and the captain
would have been rich. "
Being interrogated, he said,
" He did not mention to me any other in the plot save himself and the
captain, neither soldiers nor others, but there must have been some con-
cerned. Concerning this affair which he is now going to perpetrate, he
says, It is known to him alone, and that he has not even spoken to his,
brothers-in-law, and that he does not choose to tell them anything until
the hour for action. He took them away, saying that he meant to take
them to his company, whereof he is ancient, and that they should have
pay' 7'
Being again interrogated about the on-twer-cl-apppea-ra-nee of these two,
he answered, '
" Little men, but very stout or corpulent, black, furrowed, black beards,
chestnut-brown, and thin; they are both aged from thirty five to forty
years. As to the ancient, he is dressed in drab with gold lace, he has a
black cloak, and his hat likewise has a gold band. He is tall of stature,
marked with the small-pox, brown beard, very little mustachios, from thir-
ty three to thirty four years old; he is lame, do not know on which side;
he lamed himself in prison at Rovigo; on the journey they carry long
arquebuses; they will subsequently supply themselves at Ferrara. I shall
endeavour also to make friends with a certain favourite of his, and shall
report with that readiness which becomes my affection and respect. "
It is remarkable that the day after the Ambassador Contarini wrote to
inform the Doge and Senate that he had dined in the most friendly man-
ner with the Cardinal Borghese at Frescati, an event took place at Ve-
nice disgraceful to all concerned. The French Ambassador, who was friendly
to Fra Paolo, also entertained Contarini with an account of his late
audience with the Pope, who had then asserted that the Doge was in treaty
with him for a safe place where Fra Paolo and the other theologians
might discuss what they had published. .
" Most Serene Prince. To show that I held account of the invitation
given to me by the Lord Cardinal Borghese, to go to dine with him at
Frascati, I determined on so doing yesterday, and so much the more was
I induced thus to act, inasmuch as with such an opportunity I should be
enabled to execute your Serenity's commissions to the French ambassador,
whom I likewise found in the same neighbourhood of Frascati, in a house
belonging to the Duke d'Altemps, rather more than a mile distant from the
Pontifi? 's. He informed me that on the preceding day his Holiness had
told him that your Serenity was making suit about a safe place for the
theologians to dispute on the topics they had published, and put into
. M
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? 148 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1607.
print.
I expressed my surprise how this should have been "uttered, since
neither in Venice nor here, had any discussion been held to this effect;
nay, that owing to your Serenity's' great wish to put an end to similar and
other discourse, productive of the worst consequences, you had commanded
me to request him (since he had laboured and exerted himself so much in
the past commotions) to use his endeavours with the Pontiff to give the
finishing stroke to this matter, relying on his prudence and dexterity that,
having overcome greater difficulties, he would in like manner terminate
this, which alone remained of the past fluctuations, conferring thus a very
great obligation on the Republic.
" To this instance the French ambassador replied, that His Majesty 1
had written to him about a conversation held with the Ambassador Priuli,
wherein he exhorted him to find means for finishing the disputes current
on this point, that he must speak not only in conformity with the king's
sentiments, but that he likewise, individually, views it in the same light
as similar impediments to a good understanding with the Pontiff, and
gives matter for great joy to the common enemies, and that it seems im-
possible to him that your Serenity should be unable to find the means
(consisting as such do merely in appearance) for satisfying his Holiness,
who would fain justify himself with the world, and with the members of
the Inquisition in particular, to whom he cannot but make a show of
giving some sort of satisfaction, since it is a matter pertaining to that
office, to whose resolves he must defer.
" I observed that the whole adjustment rests merely in the Pope's
hands, who may very easily absorb and terminate the business in divers
manners, and as to the Congregation,'if he settled the principal part of the
matter, without communicating with the Congregation, or, indeed, without
the whole college of Cardinals, by so much the more can he do in this
instance, in such wise as shall be well known to his prudence; and -the
saying, he had regard for the congregation, was like His Most Christian
Majesty saying that the Parliament do not choose such a thing, although
when he pleases he does without them. So likewise can the Pontiff' com-
municate and give such share as he shall please to the Congregation, ob-
serving such style as shall be deemed most fitting, by declaring these
theologians included under this universal reconciliation. It had always
been believed at Venice that they were included. Whence I passed on to
make him a very long speech about the causes that induce your Serenity
to protect them, without your being able in this respect to form any other
resolve soever; that in supporting the Republic's rights, if any proposi-
tion was inserted that does not please, they purpose choosing to defend it
1 MSS. Contarini, From Rome, Oct. ' 6. 1607.
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? ar. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 149
entirely; but that it was not fitting to enter thereon, as it would be a
voluntary submersion into an abyss of inconvenience and disorder, that
your Serenity is the much more bound to adhere to this, inasmuch as
the churchmen, who through your goodness have now returned into your
territories, go daily resuscitating fresh ills, whereto you are of sheer ne-
cessity compelled to apply the due remedies; and I told him of the daring
attempts of those Theatines of Bergamo, at which he was much surprised,
and I came to this conclusion, that your Serenity has reason for keeping
very much on the watch, and also for supporting those who, postponing
all their own interests and regards, defended the justice of your cause,
exhorting him to persuade the Pontiff at once to cut off all negotiations,
and to dispose himself towards favouring the Republic in her honest de-
mands, as since my residence at the court I experience harshness, even
in my most_reasonable demands and offices, nor can I obtain that good
fruit which I expected for the common weal. The ambassador of France
- evinced no slight regret at whathe heard through these statements which
I made him, and in particular, remarked of his own accord, that the Pon-
tiff has done ill in not giving satisfaction in the matter of this vacancy,
occasioned by the death of the lord abbot Pesaro, and he was so persuaded
in other respects, that he promised to speak thereon fully and freely, and
use his endeavours to terminate the affairs of the theologians, the which
concluded, he doubted not but that all would pass off well, and that one
would indubitably obtain from the Pontiff all that could be laid claim to;
one will keep awaiting the consequence of his offices, which, if they result
in conformity with the wish evinced by him for exerting himself stre-
nuously, cannot fail to be such as desired. Gratiae de? c. "
We now pass from the friendly offers of the French envoy to Venice,
where we find another individual warning Sarpi against danger. The name
of Scioppius is almost proverbial as a satirist; embittered against the Pope
he endeavored to convince Paolo of the impossibility of his escape from his
wrath, that he, like other princes, could easily reach out his hands against
him, and if he wished to take his life, there was no lack of means; but he
thought Paul still wished to take Fra Paolo alive, to seize him at Venice
and conduct him to Rome, and he concluded by offering to bring about an
honorable reconciliation between the Pope and the Servite.
To all this Fra Paolo answered, as he had often before said, That he
had done nothing by which the Pope could be offended, that he had
pleaded for a just cause, that he was sorry the defence had met the indig-
nation of the Pope, but that he was prepared to submit to the divine
will, and was not so ignorant of human affairs as not to know. what he
ought to think of life and death, that if he was taken alive to Rome, all
the power of the Pope could not hinder a man being more master of his life
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? 150 THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1607.
than others could be, that he was resolved to be master of his own life,
and that the Pope should not be so. He thanked Scioppius for his good
offices, but expressed himself inseparably united to the interests of the
state.
" The proposals of killing him, or taking him alive to Rome appeared
strange, but what followed clearly showed Scioppius had good grounds
for his assertions, and that designs against Paolo were already really ripe
for execution. The satirist left Venice; and in a satire narrated his conver-
sation with the Friar, and bore witness to his being non indoctum non
timidum. "
But the Father, who was so good as not to be able to think evil of any
one, believed the above menace to be merely a conceit of Scioppius, and
being a man of great intrepidity, although often warned by the Lord In-
quisitors of State, who are the chief magistrates of Venice and have charge
of the most secret transaction of designs against life, yet apparently he
did not take any care of himself ; either, from his great nobility of mind
of which writes Fulgenzio, " I can vouch and have often experienced it,H
or, from his certain conviction that nothing can happen without Divine
permission, and that what is appointed by God, cannot be hindered by
any human caution or foresight, but that too much anxiety and caution
are frequently the causes of contrary events, he never was inclined to
change his mode of life in the smallest particular, and would always re-
mark that it was indifferent to him in what manner he died, only, that he
died justly, because he was sure that in no way death could ever find him
unprepared. '
" As usual he pursued his daily toil at the Ducal palace, and at this time
walked from Saint Mark's to his Convent in the evening: but his friends
would not suffer him to go alone: and this is not surprising, considering
the reports that had reached them that there were designs against his life;
he was frequently accompanied by the noble Malpietro, who although aged
was a man of intrepid spirit, and of piety and worth: if we are to judge
of Fra Paolo's friendship for him by his grief at his death, he must have
been one of his chosen friends.
" It was late on the evening of the fifth of October that Paolo, in com-
pany with Malpietro, Fra Fnlgenzio, and his servant, Fra Marino went on
foot from the Palace to the Merceria together; and from thence Fra Paolo,
Malpietro and Fra Marino continued their way. They had crossed the small
square of the San Fosca and had arrived at the bridge of la Guerra, very
near the Convent. Malpietro had walked a little in advance of Fra Paolo,
who was followed at a short distance by his servant, Marino. On the
bridge, while descending it on the north side, Fra Paolo was suddenly as-
saulted by five assassins, some keeping guard in a boat while the others
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? arr. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 151
wounded him in the neck with their stilettoes, and with one in the face,
which entered the right ear and came out in the small hollow which lies
between the nose and the right cheek. The assassin could not withdraw
his stiletto, because it had passed through the bone where it remained
transfixed. It was more than three months since the Father had been ac-
companied, besides Fra Marino a lay brother who was his servant, by Fra
Fulgenzio and by the valorous Malpietro. Notwithstanding the continual
warnings given to the Father to take care of himself, the Friars who ae-
companied him, did so entirely regardless of personal harm because they
knew that they did well in defending a cause which was notoriously just,
believing, that when the violence of the controversy was past, no one could
be so impious as to presume after so solemn an accommodation, that
princes had not always about them learned and zealous advocates to de-
fend them with as little fear of assassins, as themselves. On this evening
the Father was left by Fulgenzio and his companion, because Fra
Fulgenzio wished to see a fire which had been burning during two days
in a house in the Saliciati of San Lio, in the middle of the street which
leads to the Merceria, and on hearing that the fire was not yet extinguished,
he came back to seek the Father to take him to see it.
" But Fulgenzio, having stayed long, thought the Father might have gone
home by the San Lio, and he was thus left alone with one companion, who
being behind him, was seized by one of the murderers who held his hands,
while the other stabbed the Father, and as he expected mortally.
" The ruffian having left his stiletto in the wound, he and his compa-
nions raised their guns to fire on any of the populace who might give an
alarm, after this they left Fra Marino free, but on seeing three of the as-
sassins unsheath their arms, without saying a word, he ran away. "
Notwithstanding the pains thus taken by the assassins to murder Fra
Paolo while walking by himself, and then to effect their escape, the whole
transaction was seen by some women at a window, Who immediately
raised a cry for help; on this Malpietro turned round, what a spectacle
met his sight! Fra Paolo stunned, bleeding and defenceless in the midst
of armed ruffians, and wounded apparently to death by the dagger
Which still lay buried in the noble head from which streamed his blood,
but happily not his life blood. His foes had not so completely triumphed, the
intrepid Servite was deeply but not mortally wounded: stunned, but not
slain, nature was exhausted but not overcome, well might his companion
and friend marvel at his escape. " Fifteen thrusts which were reckoned up
by the holes in his doublet and hood, " told to the world the deadly
aim which had been taken against Fra Paolo, but as he had only received
three wounds in the neck, besides that on his face, one cannot help seeing
a mark of divine providence which deprived the murderer both of his
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? 152 THE LIFE OF [40. 1607.
strength and senses, as he might with one high powerful thrust either in
his side or back have killed this innocent and helpless man. '
He afterwards said that the two first blows of the stiletto were given
as if at the same moment, and the third as if a ponderous weight had fal-
len upon him and stunned him, and he was quite overcome on reaching
his Convent, although in the full possession of his senses, he was stretched
on his bed from whence it was very long before he arose again.
The tidings of his attempted assassination soon reached the ears of the
government, and immediate steps were taken to obtain evidence of this
lamentable event. That given by Malpietro is of great interest, and its
date shows that this witness was called instantly.
Having been brought before their Excellencies, the most noble Signor
Alessandro Malpietro declared as follows: --
" May it please your E1-:cellencies--I was in the Marzaria, with Messer
Paolo di Servi, to day, about the twenty second hour. We joined com-
pany to go together to our houses, being neighbours, and the Father had
a lay brother with him. We were at Santa Fosca, on the Bridge della
Guerra, at the last steps leading downwards, when a man rushed to the
right hand side where the Father was, and took aim at his face; I
thought he had given him a blow, and I heard the Father say, ' Oh! ' and
the other say, 'Dog! traitor! 'and, raising my eyes, for I was walking with
my -head bent downwards, I saw the Father with the stiletto, which I now
hold, fixed in the ear near his nose, and the assailant by him. I thrust
myself between them, and put my hand upon the stiletto and drew it out;
then, turning to the fellow, who had, I think, two companions, if not
more, I said, 'Ah, you traitorous dogs, do you assassinate menin this way? '
and again I turned to the people who were beginning to flock toward us,
and said, 'After them, boys! ' whereupon the men, seeing me take up the
defence, stood still a minute, and then turned off towards San Marciliano.
I hastened to the Father, and led him into a house near at hand, where
his wounds were dressed by a barber; then we took a boat, and I went
home with him to his convent, together with the physician of the convent,
that is to say, Santorio, and the barber who first dressed his wounds, the
physician arriving suddenly on the spot. The man who gave the blow was
square--built; his face seemed rubicund; his beard red, inclining to chest-
nut; his stature tall, rather than short. Some persons have affirmed that
he wore a linen mask over his face; but, from the weakness of my sight,
I could take but little note of him, and still less of his companions, not
even of the clothes they wore. "
Being asked, if he knew any one who was present at the deed above
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? E1'. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 153
described, he answered, that there were several women and other per-
sons who dwelt near, but that he did not know them. This account from
the Processi Criminali, Council of Ten, Venetian Archives, must be ta-
ken in connection with the Contarini MSS. and Count Sagredos Saggio di
R. Brown in L'Archivio di Venezia. Sir Henry Wotton told the Doge
that the blow was struck by a Scotchman, who went by the name of Gio-
vanni of Florence, a son of Poma. It is impossible to describe the horror
and indignation of the people of Venice on learning that Fra Paolo was
reported to he mortally Wounded; and to have seen how the matter was
taken was admirable: the whole city was in a broil, the Council was called
frequently during the night, the chiefest of the Senate flocked to the mo-
nastery where the wounded Father lay, and the next day the people met
every where in clumps and in. clusters talking of this matter. The professor
of anatomy and chirugery, Acqimpendente, a man of great age, learning
and experience was sent for by public counsel, from Padua, and associated
with other physicians for the cure of his wonund. 1 And it must have
been painful indeed to Bedell to see his wounded friend, and to reflect
Why these Wounds were given! " The first thing Fra Paolo did was to
express a Wish to take the Holy Communion on the following morn-
ing, which he did with the deepest humility, begging all the Fathers
who wept around him, to excuse him if on account of his wound he
could not speak so much as he wished, that he might shew his grief for
his sins and seek pardon of God, and 'when the Advocate, Signor Giro-
lamo Trevisano came by order of the government, to take his depo-
sition, the Father told him that he had no enemy that he knew of,
nor had he known any, and he entreated the Council of Ten that as
he pardoned the man who had offended him, they would do nothing
further than merely to guard him more securely, if it pleased God to
prolong his life.
"According to his usual mode of avoiding ostentation, he had wished
only one young doctor, Signor Alviso Bagosa, to attend him; he was
skilful, had a light hand, and applied light ligatures, but his condition,
and the public opinion of him constrained him to submit to the care
of all the most celebrated doctors, and surgeons in Venice, besides
those who came from Padua, and Acquapendente was commanded to
remain at the Convent till the danger was passed, but the Father
continued long between life and death. Not only were his wounds of
a very serious nature, but he Was so attenuated that he was like a
skeleton, one could count his bones distinctly, his great loss of blood
left him almost bloodless and for more than twenty days he remained
1 Bedell. Letter.
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? 154 THE LIFE OF [AJJ. 1607.
lg//M'
nearly motionless and' almost unable to raise his hand. There was also
another unfortunate circumstance attending Fra Paolo's illness which
must have retarded his recovery, and that was the multiplicity of
doctors, from whom the poor patient suffered as much as from the
wound, some of his advisers thought the blackness of the lips of the
wound evinced the thrust of a poisoned weapon, others that inflam-
mation had been produced by treacle in the medicines given, to all
this Fra Paolo submitted without a murmur/and with his usual piety
and firmness edified all who saw him. ' On the same evening on which
he was wounded he asked for the stiletto which had remained fixed
in his head, and having felt it he immediately said, It is not filed!
A report afterwards spread that the assassins were taken and many
could tell how he was grieved, fearing that such a scandal would
bring discredit on religion, as it was currently said that they went
immediately to the Nuncio's house.
Throughout his illness he never once gave a sign of suffering pain,
although it was necessary to out or probe deeply, the wounds being
very deep, and the bone of the upper jaw being broken; it remained
fractured, and when the wound appeared inclined to heal, nature
formed abscesses to discharge the splinters, and there was considerable
inflammation; there were scars both of the ingress and egress of the
weapon. " '
Every thing was done that it was possible for devoted friends,
munificent nobles, rich citizens, and a generous people who regarded
Fra Paolo with almost superstitious veneration to do to convince him.
of _ how much he was beloved, Een his enemies could not deny this
tribute to him, they were forced to reecho the praise of their sufl'er-
ing foe, whose lips poured forth blessings on them. Who shall tell
what lessons were gathered from that bed of agony? Around him might
be seen the greatest senators, and those in more humble life, all
listening to him, or praying that he might be restored to health.
The Signor Malpietro wished to take possession of the stiletto,
because it was he that took it out of the wound, but in consideration
1 I examined the Processi Oriminali, of 5-10 October 1607: "Which con-
tain, at great length, the investigation of the attempted assassination of Fra
Paolo Sarpi. . . One circumstance mentioned in the investigation curiously il-
lustrates the manners of the day. A druggist was commissioned to ascertain
f the dagger was poisoned; and, in due time, reported to the Council of Ten
that he had tried it on a dog and on a chicken, and that, as both these
patients were convalescent, he hoped the theologian of the Republic would-
recover also. " Calendar, Rawdon Brown, Pref. , p. 37.
3 MS.
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? 4I'1'- 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 155
of his preservation which if not a miracle, at least showed a particular
demonstration of Divine Providence and special care of the innocent
Father, he was content that it should be hung at the foot of a
Crucifix, ' where it still hangs with this inscription,
QMRISTO LIBERATORE.
The Nuncio sent early information of the attempt on Fra Paolo's
life to the Cardinal Borghese as follows. " Very late yesterday evening
Fra Paolo Sarpi was stabbed by two or three thrusts, they say that
he is not in danger, but they are not certain. The Council of Ten
have passed a law by which they say publicly that they have indicted
some persons whom they believe to have committed the offence: there
is a great uproar in the city and they shew themselves greatly
displeased, he being greatly beloved. The Servite friars have hung the
dagger with which Fra Paolo was stabbed to a Crucifix which is above
their altar in the church, with these words " Dec Filio Liberatori. "
I send the new volume by R. P. 'S. and his usual advisers.
" October 6, 1607. "
When with vigorous wrench the aged Malpietro drew the stiletto
from the Father's wound, he perceived two of the assassins running
down the street S. Mazziliani and thence to the Misericordia, at the
-end of 'which lay their gondola, and their companions; they all took
refuge in the house of the Papal Nuncio resident in Venice, but it
was only by protection of the Council of Ten that the Nuncio's house
was saved from a violent assault by the infuriated people, the same
night they passed to the Lido, where they found a boat which they
had prepared waiting for them: it was a well armed fiat boat, with
ten oars, in which they went towards Ferrara, but they were not
pursued with sufficient speed owing to some comedians having played
that night at the San Luigi where an opera (which they call "opera
con intermezzo") was performed. All the neighborhood had gone to it,
so that there were not the usual passers by in the streets of Santa
Fosca, and thesecircumstances gave the murderers great facility to
escape, although the government was unremitting in its efforts to cap-
ture them.
The chief of the murderers was Ridolfo Poma, who had been a merchant
of Venice, and esteemed a man of honour, but becoming bankrupt, he
had retired to Naples to recover some debts, and from thence he had
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? 156 THE LIFE OF [A. DI 1607.
gone to Rome where he was welcomed. It was a cause of wonder
that he was so intimate with Cardinal Borghese, who introduced him
to his uncle the Pontiff and by whose favour two of his daughters,
who had been left in the States of Venice, were received as nuns; and
his friends were still more astonished when he wrote that he had recover-
ed his debts and that they would soon see him a Cardinal. Besides Poma,
there were Alessandro Parasio of Ancona, Giovanni of Florence, the son of
Paolo, and Pasquale de Bitonto, also a soldier. They were men well fitted
for such deeds, as they were all outlaws. Their spy, or guide, was a
priest, Michel Vlti, a Bergamasco, who officiated in the church of the
Holy Trinity, in Venice; and by whom there is no doubt that this
deed had been planned for many months before it came to light,
because this priest came every morning during Lent to the Convent of
the Servi, under pretence of liking the preaching of Fra Fulgenzio.
He came to the door of the pulpit, which corresponds to the inner
part of the Convent, and conversed courteously with Fra Fulgenzio,
and sought counsel as to some scruples of conscience, and he con-
tinued to go to his Convent to visit him and to converse on spiritual
matters.
Before the successful issue of this execrable act, Fra Fulgenzio had
observed, and that innumerable times, as he came home with the
Father and his companion, that he encountered Fra Michel Viti on
the bridge of S. Fosca, sometimes here and sometimes there, now with
one soldier, then with two, who proved afterwards to be the murderers
above mentioned.
And because Fra Fulgenzio saw him frequently look intently at
the Father, and often return to look back at him, Fra Fulgenzio
warned him, but the Father repressed his curiosity as showing too
much suspicion. '
On the tenth of October sentence against the assassins was decreed
by the Council of Ten in the form of a proclamation, promising large
rewards to those who took them alive. '
This was followed by a public edict for the better security of Fra
Paolo who still continued in great bodily suffering.
"Proclamation'hy the Republic of Venice to secure the personal
safety of R. M. Paulo, Servite and Professor of Theology, according
to the resolution of the Senate, 27th day of October, 1607. "
The above Proclamation by the Prince, was laid before the Senate
for deliberation, on the 27th October, 1607.
Appendix.
2
1
S.
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