Poma, likewise one of the proclaimed, was seen in this city
about the month of June last; and, from what I have hitherto been able
to elicit, it seems that he then left for Naples, his departure being attri-
buted to his finding himself half a bankrupt.
about the month of June last; and, from what I have hitherto been able
to elicit, it seems that he then left for Naples, his departure being attri-
buted to his finding himself half a bankrupt.
Sarpi - 1868 - Life of Fra Paolo Sarpi
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
1 MS.
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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
1 MS.
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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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? E1'. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 157
"In reference to the atrocious attempt at assassination, with design
to take the life of R. P. M. Paolo, of our Republic, by well-known
wicked and insidious means, and according to the usual gracious
protection which we are accustomed to grant to those of our subjects,
who with self devotion and fidelity render good and honourable service
to the Republic, as the worthy P. Paulo, a person of distinguished
learning, great courage and virtue, and of exemplary life has done, we
desire, in addition to the public deliberations already made, to make
known, and by still further proof to testify how dear his personal
safety is to our Republic. Therefore We cause it to be publicly proclaim-
ed, that if in future, any person or persons shall be found, of any
degree or condition whatsoever, who shall be so bold, as for the future
to attempt to attack in any place or manner whatsoever, without
exception, either in this city or any other place of our State, the afore-
said P. M. Paulo, he, or they, who in defence of this Father takes or
kills any such person or persons who attack him, shall claim, if he
consign them dead (they being legally proved amenable 'to justice), the
sum of two thousand ducats, taken from the property of the delinquent
or delinquents, if they have any (which property shall be accounted
as if confiscated) and if they have not any, from the monies of the
public treasury to be paid immediately. And on consigning them
alive, they shall receive four thousand ducats as aforesaid, from the
said monies of the public treasury,' to be paid immediately. And if
any one shall make known to justice, any person or persons, who shall
treat of, plan, or come to this city with intent to injure the said P.
M. Paolo in any way whatever, if any culprit be taken, tried, and
punished, the informer shall receive in the aforesaid manner the same
sum of two thousand ducats from the treasury, and if he be an ac-
complice, he shall go unpunished, and secresy shall be observed. It
being our resolve and will, that the meritorious P. M. Paolo, as well
as any other subject, who has faithfully and effectually served and
serves the Republic, shall be respected, and entitled by his own merit
to public protection. 29th October, 1607. Published on the stairs of
S. Marco, and of the Rialto, by Paschel di Bianchi, Comandator. "
The words, "any person or persons of any degree or condition
whatsoever, who shall be so bold as to attempt," etc. , etc. , the life
of P. M. Paolo, did not escape observation, and it was evident that
the Doge and Senate of Venice, intended the above proclamation to
include all.
Now let the reader turn for a little time to the Ducal palace, and
mark the countenances of the friends of Sarpi, 'the aged Donato, the
eloquent Morosini, and those of the Council of Ten and their Secretaries
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? 168 THE LIFE OF / [A. D. 1607.
who saw the secret communications from the Contarini, no doubt but
that words of surprise or angry exclamation burst from their lips when
they read their Ambassador's letter of this date. Miserable as was the
employment, Contarini did not shrink from his duty, but recorded his
endeavors in various and numerous despatches to the Doge and Senate
and Council of Ten which testify a sincere love of his country and
justice to the man whose only crime was, that he had striven for his
country's weal.
" Most Serene Prince,
" For the due execution of what your Serenity enjoins me, by letters
dated the 6th inst. , received on the day before yesterday, and moreover
for the vent of my own personal sympathy and affection, which has been
greatly agitated by so momentous an accident as has been that which has
befallen the person of M. Paul, I shall be most vigilant for the investiga-
tion of everything that shall seem to me fitting, through all channels,
especially through that one which made the first statement to me, as . I
respectfully notified in my letters of the 29th ult. , who, moreover, told me
this week that one of the brothers-in-law of the aforesaid ancient, who
left this with him, is Grandonio. I have likewise heard from a confident
of mine, a resident in Ancona, that Alessandro Parassio, one of the pro-
claimed assassins, was outlawed at Ancona about two years ago, for hav-
ing harboured some homicides in his house; and, on some little property
of his being confiscated, it was saved by his sisters, resident at Venice in
the house of certain merchants, named Gottardi, his relations; and he was
a bravo by profession, having fought several times, as well in Ancona as
at Venice.
Poma, likewise one of the proclaimed, was seen in this city
about the month of June last; and, from what I have hitherto been able
to elicit, it seems that he then left for Naples, his departure being attri-
buted to his finding himself half a bankrupt. Gratize cfic.
" Rome, 13 Oct. , 1607. "
The next letter opens with the very warm expression of his feelings,
" on hearing of the villany committed on the person of the M. Paulo of
the Servites, " and the ambassador" trusts in God that he may be able to
penetrate'it. " The Pope had again blamed the theologians; but, such was
the fear of the ambassador for the Pope, that he adds, " I have deemed it
expedient to pass the whole over in silence, waiting for a better opportu-
nity. The Inquisitor deplored F. P. 's accident. I sent the Secretary to
him, who said he bore him no ill will; and said that he had asked him,
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? 151. 54. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 169
through the Procurator General of the Servites, to come to Rome a month
ago, and that he would be caressed and well received, and the affair ter-
minate reputably for the Republic.
" He suspects, not indeed by senators and intelligent noblemen, but
by the people, that it may be supposed to proceed hence, a sup-
position which could not enter the minds of judicious persons as there
is no similar example on record, either by word or deed, in any
century, for that the Church does not proceed by these indirect and
diabolical means; he, the Inquisitor, Was, therefore, annoyed by the
vulgar, who are blindly carried away by every sinister idea. But he
considered it as certain that, as the crime had been committed by
three, some, if not all, would be taken; and that the truth of the
fact, moreover, would not be known through other channels; and he
observed, as Maestro Paulo was not known to have any enemies, it
may be conjectured that this may have been plotted by some of his
friars, on account of some disgust and monkish persecution, and that
his opinion was shared by the Cardinal Zappata, with whom he had
held a long conversation. "
The Ambassador, Contarini, also enclosed, for the perusal of the
Council of Ten, part of a letter from Bimini, in which the assassins
are spoken of as "those three who gave it to the theologians, and
were here on Friday evening, flying from death, God help them! " '
and further, Contarini enclosed in one of his dispatches a deposition
of Flavio's which speaks for itself. ' " The men who wounded Fra
Paolo passed before me in two carriages with long and short arque-
buses, boasting of having killed Fra Paolo, and they had a passport
from the Legate of Bologna that they might carry their weapons
through the Papal States. They had their arquebuses and pistols ready
loaded, even at table. Poma was recognized, as also his son dressed as
a Priest, and one Parasio of Ancona (all Pomas) who acted as his
oil broker at Venice. The hosts said if they had known of the sentence
they would have killed them. " Lengthened investigations were continued
by the Ambassador and his Secretary during the darkness of night,
and all these were carefully reported. The murderers had arrived at
Rome but they were not seen in public, the Pope being perturbed on
learning what an impression was made on 'a leading personage by
their presence, orders were consequently given that they were not to
remain in Rome another hour. Contarini did not spare rewards, he
bestowed eight golden crowns on the aforementioned informer Flavio,
1 MSS. Contarini.
2 MSS. Contarini.
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? 160 THE LIFE OF' [A. D. 1607. _
who gave it as his opinion that the man who wounded Fra Paolo
iii the face, was one of the most villainous and murderous beings in
the world, adding "from what I have heard he is to commit another
fine assassination besides this, he is considered a good brave by certain
outlaws from the march of Ancona. This man was to get a copy of
his absolution, and a copy of the bank bill on the monies paid. " ' The
assassins were urged to discover who sent this villain; secresy was
promised and Contarini thinks it certain these are the men. Flavio
had spoken to the Pope, and as to who sent them. "I entertain no
doubt on that score," writes the Ambassador; and Flavio was again
appointed to come to his Secretary's apartments at a late hour. He
had also obtained information " from a postillion who stated his name to
be Giovanni Andrea, of Fano, sent with this post's letters, as postil-
lion, by the courier to Venice, but had stayed behind on account of
illness; he said that the courier had told him that last Sunday evening
five persons supped and slept at the same inn, a priest namely
Michael Viti, and three men, two of these dressed as mariners. Of
these three, one was Ridolfo Poma, head assassin, the two boatmen,
named Matteo the Sclavonian, and Pietro of San Giustina, and a lad,
Poma's son, who according to his judgment as well as that of the
host are those who fled on account of the wounds given in Venice to
Fra Paolo, and that they arrived in the evening and left in the morning
in a carriage for Loretto. "
A letter to the Council of Ten from his Excellency informs us of
the rewards given to the assassins, and later, a discussion 'had taken
place as to the Theologians of Venice, " but the transactions of the
Inquisition were kept so secret, that all which transpired was, that
there was to be some delay. "' Parasio had been seen in Rome, and
it was said that Poma meant "to print that he made his determina-
tion not at the instigation of others, but for the service of the
Lord God. "
To the Council of Ten.
"Most Serene Prince,
" A nephew of M. Bastone, the Papal Nuncio, has informed a person
here, his confident, that by order of His Holiness the Nuncio, his
uncle has been commissioned to obtain from the 'Viceroy, the grant
1 MSS. Contarini, October 1607 . -
5* MSS. Contarini, Nov. 24. Dec. 10-15.
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? arr. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 161
of an annual pension to the scoundrels who committed the act of as-
sassination on the person of the Father Paul, and the ' assignment of
1,500 crowns was to 'be made forthwith at Bari, and although I gave
an account to the Most Excellent Senate, I nevertheless deemed it
well to omit from what quarter such news reached me, though I
consider it my duty on every account to give respectful-notice thereof
to your Serenity, and in like manner as I certify to the nephew of
the Nuncio, having made the communication aforesaid, so in other
respects I am at a loss at this moment for the means of ascertaining
the entire truth of these commissions; but present them to your Excel-
lencies as I receive them, as I moreover shall give you notice, that
the news of the arrival of the said scoundrels at Bitonto, whereof I
also informed the Most Excellent Senate, is contained in a letter to
the Cardinal Genlniasio, written to him by the very Reverend the
Bishop of Bitonto, in the following precise words, 'that through the
arrival there of the man who gave the wounds to that Friar Paul of
Venice, he has discovered the individual who assassinated a brother
of his, and that he will endeavour to make him pay his weekly ac-
count. ' Gratiee etc.
"From Ronie, 24th November 1607. "
The President at Naples informed the Ambassador that one of the
murderers, Pasquale of Bitonto, is in that city, and Poma is expected
there shortly to carry on a certain law suit. Poma, by a letter of his,
is in great fear for himself; he changes his place of residence frequently,
and is now at Hostia. He is said to be sent as a warder to Perugia,
which the Ambassador thinks "cannot be true, as that appointment is
generally given to people of consideration. "
While Fra Paolo was thus cared for in Venice, Contarini's and other
letters show that he was held in still greater esteem since he had been
so nearly lost to Venice and to Europe. Many judged that his arguments
against papal supremacy must be powerful when they had excited such
indignation at the Court of Rome.
But Fra Paolo felt no satisfaction when it was reported that Poma
and his accomplices had been imprisoned at Rome; it transpired, how-
ever later ' that Parasio only had been placed in close custody in the
prisons of the Inquisition, on account of his violent language against
the Court in regard to the non--fulfilment of the promises which had
been made to him and to his accomplices. Throughout Contarini's
1 Rome, 19th July 1608.
H
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? 162 THE LIFE OF ' [AD. 160? .
letters the same desire to discover these assassins continues and the
whole of the despatches are of great interest.
Letters of the Ambassador Contarini.
" To the Council of Ten,
" Most Serene Prince,
" To what I wrote last post I respectfully add by one, who knows
him very well.
" Poma was seen here in Rome one Sunday at the Trinit'a di Monte,
an out of the way place, and of small resort, together with a lad,
supposed to be his son, with an old man, and another with red hair,
his servant. I know that this servant goes every week with a billet
to the register of the Venice post to receive letters which, with a
feigned direction, are addressed to the said Poma. For many days I
'have been pondering on the mode of having these letters Withheld;
but I do not find it safe, for this register, named Simon Bigozzi, is a
Florentine; nor do I rely on trusting this foreigner, appointed I know
not how to this charge, the which, as all the couriers are our subjects,
ought likewise to be held by one, for he sees, handles, receives, distri-
butes, and notes all the letters; and in many instances it would prove
very convenient, the having there a confidential person. I have confid-
ed the detail about those letters of Poma to Pietro Basis, an old
courier, and who is the vice--master of the couriers in 'their house
here; charging him on his life's peril, in the name of your most
excellent Council, to keep it secret, desiring him to act with caution,
so as to obtain and bring them to me; but he has not been able to
do this, wherefore I give respectful notice thereof to your Excellen- -
cies, so that such resolve shall be taken as may be deemed best, and
in order that your Lordship may know that I fail not to do as much
as I am permitted, by the manner wherewith we must act under
existing circumstances. It was a great light to me the information I
received from your Excellencies, about the two dismissed Franciscan
friars, when His Holiness spoke to me on the subject. As I write to
the most excellent Senate, it was of great use, as enabling me to speak
resolutely, which causeth the Pontiff not to push the matter further,
or make any other reply. Gratiae, etc. "
Again: "The imprisonment of Alessandro Parasio is confirmed, in
whose name, and in whose favour, as it has been told me, M. Napi
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? Ar. 56. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI. 163
likewise a native of Ancona, spoke a few days since to the Cardinal
Borghese about some acknowledgment for the services rendered, but
not having obtained too favourable an answer, and reporting this to
Alessandro Parasio, it/made him fly into the greatest wrath; and he
protested that he would go into Turkey, using other similar language,
as usual with a man dissatisfied and desperate as it were. Monsieur Napi,
though the friend and confidant of the said Parasio, and who moreover
sought him every advantage, on hearing this, had more regard for his
own than for his neighbour's interest, and so went and told the whole
in detail to the Cardinal Borghese, who immediately betook himself to
the Pontiff, where the business being discussed, it was determined that
this Monsignore should be the medium for his getting into the hands
of the Sbirri, as took place; and Monsignore Fonti, the Cardinal Bor-
ghese's auditor, served to point him to the Barigello, who arrested him
on Sunday the 8th, immediately on his coming out of S. Sylvester's
Church, at Monte Cavallo, and having instantly put him into a car-
riage, hehlrasltaken to 'Borgo' to the prisons of the Inquisition. I
understand that it is being endeavoured to obtain certain writings which
he denies hdving kept. I
"By great diligence," the Contarini, "had become acquainted with
the feigned names under which the letters were addressed from Venice
to Rodolfa Poma. Of two of them he says. 'The which, having first
copied and rescaled, I caused to be returned to their address, in order
not to create suspicion,' They Were letters from Poma's cloistered
daughters, signed Hipolita Poma, from Padua, January 14th, 1608;
there were also two other letters, which were forwarded to the Council.
The letters Were addressed to Carlo Gattardo, Silvestro Ridolfi, Frede-
rico Bolucci, Paulo de Santi, Paulo Bortolaeci, and the above copies
were sent to the Doge by Contarini. Y'
" Most Serene Prince,
v
" Herewith your Serenity will receive the substance of what Matteo . .
JWJ 1:
Schiavon, one of the boatmen who rowed Poma, stated to my secretary
' on two occasions, when he went to seek him in his apartments, and
likewise what Tomeo di Zanon, the owner of the shallop, told a person,
my confidant, for I did not allow him to come, as he wanted to do,
and speak here in the palace, ' both on account of the different nature
of his sentence, and because little else could have been elicited from
'. e. N'? 3- '
'' pp
la'? !
1 To the Council of Ten, 2nd February, 1608, from Rome.
5 The Venetian ambassador's palace, called S. Mark's, Rome.
u&\
13. 1
M'; .
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? 164 _ THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1608.
him, in addition to what has been obtained from other sources. From
these two expositions, should they contain nothing else of importance,
your. Serenity will at least learn concerning Poma, how he keeps hid-
den, and his situation- (as I moreover have written heretofore), how
much he endeavours to remove these men to a distance, and the
confirmation of what I have previously hinted at, that Alessandro de
Franceschi is his agent, and has held intercourse with him since last
June or July, when the said Rodolfo Poma was at Rome, and when
he left a servant of his in his house, who, immediately after the deed,
went to meet him with a supply of money at Ancona.
_ " It seems he has some intention of returning home; should I become
11' Z17 aware of his reaching it, I will give account thereof to your Excel-
-/~~ lencies, of the mode whereby the said Matteo took to come and speak
with the Secretary, who was very cautious; so that he has not even
a -thought of its having been wished for. Then with regard to the
, statement of that other, namely of Tomeo, the whole is rendered intel-
ligible by the statement itself. " 'QQG
Here follows the statement of Matteo Schiavon. Ibid,-oamthe 24th
February, at Rome, in St. Mark's Palace. A
"Matteo Schiavon, boatman, one of those who rowed Poma, having
come by stealth to my apartments, I, Vittor Barbaro, Secretary of
the Ambassador Contarini, at the second hour of the night, told him
I was glad to see him well, but was sorry for his troubles, and to
give him confidence to speak freely, I added that I considered it
certain he had been deceived, and that one might moreover argue
thus from the nature of his sentence, and the clemency of the
alternative.
"Jwhereupon, bewailing his fate, and the misery of his wife and
W0? four children in Venice, and to his having been in fact
deceived and betrayed, he commenced speaking to me confidentially,
and told me in substance:
"The Signor Bidolfo Hma disappeared from Venice last July, in
I A"; consequence of failure -on the mart. One day unexpectedly he stood
Lb 'before me and said, 'Villain, what art thou doing? ' I answered,
"*7 Z '-God be praised, for -that certain foolfli people, who speaking about#&
' you, said you had failed, lied by the throat. ' He asked me whether
J I could -go with him to Padua. I answered 'Yes;' and we went there
4 "H with the gondola. He went about to one monastery and the other,
LL and came lg-ac_k to Venice; and returned in a Paduan boat which towed
the gondola, whither he took four girls of his into convents; and his
Sister di Gollardi and two maid servants accompanied them. In
returning, we took up the Chaplain of the Nuns of Santa Giustina at
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? arr 56. ] FRA PAOLO SABPI 165
la Mira, and came on merrily to "Venice. It strikes me that the
Chaplain subsequently saved some of his property. He asked me whe-
ther I would go to Loretto with him, and that he would moreover go'
as far as Bitonto, I said 'yes,' but that I must have a little money
at home/'He said he had not got any, so I, who served a grocer with
my gondola, in order to pay it off, for it had been made at his cost,
took eighteen ducats from another gondolier, and made it over to him
for him to pay for. This money I left at home; and having taken
these clothes which are now on my back, I went to Poma; and at the
water entrance of his house,\Ma embarked in a gondola by day three
or four little coffers, which I for my part thought was money he was
carrying away, and was that for---w-ls-i-oh he had failed. Being thus two
oars, namely myself and Paulo de Santa Giustina, he said to us, "I
don't choose to be seen getting into the gondola here at the entrance;
so while I go and look after the shallop on the Bio of S. Anna, do'
you go and wait for me at the FondamentLNuovQ_and don't go away,
for I shall soon be there. ' 1 We waited as ordered; Lbecame thirsty,
and would not go so far as my home, but sent to buy a little ,,y? ne;"
then came Fra Michel Viti, and inquired for Poma, saying, '
come yet? ' We told him 'no,' and he got into the gondola to Wait
E
'. A'
juncle "
5
' . - . h ' ''
for him. " I have asked him whether Poma was really
uncle; and he told me that he called him so, and that he knew nothing
J
further; and he continued: " Subsequently Poma came, with his usual A S
cloak wrapped up to his eyes, and said, 'Are you here my lads? '
"He got into the gondola desiring us to go towards the castle, and
said, 'I also will row a little,' and having laid down his cloak and'
a blunderbuss which he Had himself fitted on the crutch, the second
astern, began rowing. We were at a very little distance from the
Fonda/r\nentQ_ and two men came up who also called out, 'Sir, take
us also. ' Poma made us return to the quay, and we brought them
off without any tumult of people, or any one. He made us'go to the
cottage beyond the Certosa, apparently the edge of the lagoons at the
back of the Castle of S. Andrea' in fact on a strip of the Lido, across
which the murderers then made their way to the beach, - where the
shallop was waiting for them) and they disembarked, and there 'on
shore they came towards us, the Signor Alessandro Parasio 'with the'
J\'-fins-1
1 The date of the conversation here detailed was October 5th, 1607. "On the'
evening of which day, about an hour before sunset, Poma and-his accomplices' '
attacked Fra Paolo Sarpi at the bridge of S. Fosca, close to the Monastery of r
the Servites. The Bio of S. Anna, which Poma mentions as a stand for shal-
lops, 1607, continued such till very lately, and runs parallel to the public}
gardens towards the land entry. ' '
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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
1 MS.
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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
1 MS.
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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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? E1'. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 157
"In reference to the atrocious attempt at assassination, with design
to take the life of R. P. M. Paolo, of our Republic, by well-known
wicked and insidious means, and according to the usual gracious
protection which we are accustomed to grant to those of our subjects,
who with self devotion and fidelity render good and honourable service
to the Republic, as the worthy P. Paulo, a person of distinguished
learning, great courage and virtue, and of exemplary life has done, we
desire, in addition to the public deliberations already made, to make
known, and by still further proof to testify how dear his personal
safety is to our Republic. Therefore We cause it to be publicly proclaim-
ed, that if in future, any person or persons shall be found, of any
degree or condition whatsoever, who shall be so bold, as for the future
to attempt to attack in any place or manner whatsoever, without
exception, either in this city or any other place of our State, the afore-
said P. M. Paulo, he, or they, who in defence of this Father takes or
kills any such person or persons who attack him, shall claim, if he
consign them dead (they being legally proved amenable 'to justice), the
sum of two thousand ducats, taken from the property of the delinquent
or delinquents, if they have any (which property shall be accounted
as if confiscated) and if they have not any, from the monies of the
public treasury to be paid immediately. And on consigning them
alive, they shall receive four thousand ducats as aforesaid, from the
said monies of the public treasury,' to be paid immediately. And if
any one shall make known to justice, any person or persons, who shall
treat of, plan, or come to this city with intent to injure the said P.
M. Paolo in any way whatever, if any culprit be taken, tried, and
punished, the informer shall receive in the aforesaid manner the same
sum of two thousand ducats from the treasury, and if he be an ac-
complice, he shall go unpunished, and secresy shall be observed. It
being our resolve and will, that the meritorious P. M. Paolo, as well
as any other subject, who has faithfully and effectually served and
serves the Republic, shall be respected, and entitled by his own merit
to public protection. 29th October, 1607. Published on the stairs of
S. Marco, and of the Rialto, by Paschel di Bianchi, Comandator. "
The words, "any person or persons of any degree or condition
whatsoever, who shall be so bold as to attempt," etc. , etc. , the life
of P. M. Paolo, did not escape observation, and it was evident that
the Doge and Senate of Venice, intended the above proclamation to
include all.
Now let the reader turn for a little time to the Ducal palace, and
mark the countenances of the friends of Sarpi, 'the aged Donato, the
eloquent Morosini, and those of the Council of Ten and their Secretaries
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? 168 THE LIFE OF / [A. D. 1607.
who saw the secret communications from the Contarini, no doubt but
that words of surprise or angry exclamation burst from their lips when
they read their Ambassador's letter of this date. Miserable as was the
employment, Contarini did not shrink from his duty, but recorded his
endeavors in various and numerous despatches to the Doge and Senate
and Council of Ten which testify a sincere love of his country and
justice to the man whose only crime was, that he had striven for his
country's weal.
" Most Serene Prince,
" For the due execution of what your Serenity enjoins me, by letters
dated the 6th inst. , received on the day before yesterday, and moreover
for the vent of my own personal sympathy and affection, which has been
greatly agitated by so momentous an accident as has been that which has
befallen the person of M. Paul, I shall be most vigilant for the investiga-
tion of everything that shall seem to me fitting, through all channels,
especially through that one which made the first statement to me, as . I
respectfully notified in my letters of the 29th ult. , who, moreover, told me
this week that one of the brothers-in-law of the aforesaid ancient, who
left this with him, is Grandonio. I have likewise heard from a confident
of mine, a resident in Ancona, that Alessandro Parassio, one of the pro-
claimed assassins, was outlawed at Ancona about two years ago, for hav-
ing harboured some homicides in his house; and, on some little property
of his being confiscated, it was saved by his sisters, resident at Venice in
the house of certain merchants, named Gottardi, his relations; and he was
a bravo by profession, having fought several times, as well in Ancona as
at Venice.
Poma, likewise one of the proclaimed, was seen in this city
about the month of June last; and, from what I have hitherto been able
to elicit, it seems that he then left for Naples, his departure being attri-
buted to his finding himself half a bankrupt. Gratize cfic.
" Rome, 13 Oct. , 1607. "
The next letter opens with the very warm expression of his feelings,
" on hearing of the villany committed on the person of the M. Paulo of
the Servites, " and the ambassador" trusts in God that he may be able to
penetrate'it. " The Pope had again blamed the theologians; but, such was
the fear of the ambassador for the Pope, that he adds, " I have deemed it
expedient to pass the whole over in silence, waiting for a better opportu-
nity. The Inquisitor deplored F. P. 's accident. I sent the Secretary to
him, who said he bore him no ill will; and said that he had asked him,
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? 151. 54. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 169
through the Procurator General of the Servites, to come to Rome a month
ago, and that he would be caressed and well received, and the affair ter-
minate reputably for the Republic.
" He suspects, not indeed by senators and intelligent noblemen, but
by the people, that it may be supposed to proceed hence, a sup-
position which could not enter the minds of judicious persons as there
is no similar example on record, either by word or deed, in any
century, for that the Church does not proceed by these indirect and
diabolical means; he, the Inquisitor, Was, therefore, annoyed by the
vulgar, who are blindly carried away by every sinister idea. But he
considered it as certain that, as the crime had been committed by
three, some, if not all, would be taken; and that the truth of the
fact, moreover, would not be known through other channels; and he
observed, as Maestro Paulo was not known to have any enemies, it
may be conjectured that this may have been plotted by some of his
friars, on account of some disgust and monkish persecution, and that
his opinion was shared by the Cardinal Zappata, with whom he had
held a long conversation. "
The Ambassador, Contarini, also enclosed, for the perusal of the
Council of Ten, part of a letter from Bimini, in which the assassins
are spoken of as "those three who gave it to the theologians, and
were here on Friday evening, flying from death, God help them! " '
and further, Contarini enclosed in one of his dispatches a deposition
of Flavio's which speaks for itself. ' " The men who wounded Fra
Paolo passed before me in two carriages with long and short arque-
buses, boasting of having killed Fra Paolo, and they had a passport
from the Legate of Bologna that they might carry their weapons
through the Papal States. They had their arquebuses and pistols ready
loaded, even at table. Poma was recognized, as also his son dressed as
a Priest, and one Parasio of Ancona (all Pomas) who acted as his
oil broker at Venice. The hosts said if they had known of the sentence
they would have killed them. " Lengthened investigations were continued
by the Ambassador and his Secretary during the darkness of night,
and all these were carefully reported. The murderers had arrived at
Rome but they were not seen in public, the Pope being perturbed on
learning what an impression was made on 'a leading personage by
their presence, orders were consequently given that they were not to
remain in Rome another hour. Contarini did not spare rewards, he
bestowed eight golden crowns on the aforementioned informer Flavio,
1 MSS. Contarini.
2 MSS. Contarini.
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? 160 THE LIFE OF' [A. D. 1607. _
who gave it as his opinion that the man who wounded Fra Paolo
iii the face, was one of the most villainous and murderous beings in
the world, adding "from what I have heard he is to commit another
fine assassination besides this, he is considered a good brave by certain
outlaws from the march of Ancona. This man was to get a copy of
his absolution, and a copy of the bank bill on the monies paid. " ' The
assassins were urged to discover who sent this villain; secresy was
promised and Contarini thinks it certain these are the men. Flavio
had spoken to the Pope, and as to who sent them. "I entertain no
doubt on that score," writes the Ambassador; and Flavio was again
appointed to come to his Secretary's apartments at a late hour. He
had also obtained information " from a postillion who stated his name to
be Giovanni Andrea, of Fano, sent with this post's letters, as postil-
lion, by the courier to Venice, but had stayed behind on account of
illness; he said that the courier had told him that last Sunday evening
five persons supped and slept at the same inn, a priest namely
Michael Viti, and three men, two of these dressed as mariners. Of
these three, one was Ridolfo Poma, head assassin, the two boatmen,
named Matteo the Sclavonian, and Pietro of San Giustina, and a lad,
Poma's son, who according to his judgment as well as that of the
host are those who fled on account of the wounds given in Venice to
Fra Paolo, and that they arrived in the evening and left in the morning
in a carriage for Loretto. "
A letter to the Council of Ten from his Excellency informs us of
the rewards given to the assassins, and later, a discussion 'had taken
place as to the Theologians of Venice, " but the transactions of the
Inquisition were kept so secret, that all which transpired was, that
there was to be some delay. "' Parasio had been seen in Rome, and
it was said that Poma meant "to print that he made his determina-
tion not at the instigation of others, but for the service of the
Lord God. "
To the Council of Ten.
"Most Serene Prince,
" A nephew of M. Bastone, the Papal Nuncio, has informed a person
here, his confident, that by order of His Holiness the Nuncio, his
uncle has been commissioned to obtain from the 'Viceroy, the grant
1 MSS. Contarini, October 1607 . -
5* MSS. Contarini, Nov. 24. Dec. 10-15.
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? arr. 55. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI 161
of an annual pension to the scoundrels who committed the act of as-
sassination on the person of the Father Paul, and the ' assignment of
1,500 crowns was to 'be made forthwith at Bari, and although I gave
an account to the Most Excellent Senate, I nevertheless deemed it
well to omit from what quarter such news reached me, though I
consider it my duty on every account to give respectful-notice thereof
to your Serenity, and in like manner as I certify to the nephew of
the Nuncio, having made the communication aforesaid, so in other
respects I am at a loss at this moment for the means of ascertaining
the entire truth of these commissions; but present them to your Excel-
lencies as I receive them, as I moreover shall give you notice, that
the news of the arrival of the said scoundrels at Bitonto, whereof I
also informed the Most Excellent Senate, is contained in a letter to
the Cardinal Genlniasio, written to him by the very Reverend the
Bishop of Bitonto, in the following precise words, 'that through the
arrival there of the man who gave the wounds to that Friar Paul of
Venice, he has discovered the individual who assassinated a brother
of his, and that he will endeavour to make him pay his weekly ac-
count. ' Gratiee etc.
"From Ronie, 24th November 1607. "
The President at Naples informed the Ambassador that one of the
murderers, Pasquale of Bitonto, is in that city, and Poma is expected
there shortly to carry on a certain law suit. Poma, by a letter of his,
is in great fear for himself; he changes his place of residence frequently,
and is now at Hostia. He is said to be sent as a warder to Perugia,
which the Ambassador thinks "cannot be true, as that appointment is
generally given to people of consideration. "
While Fra Paolo was thus cared for in Venice, Contarini's and other
letters show that he was held in still greater esteem since he had been
so nearly lost to Venice and to Europe. Many judged that his arguments
against papal supremacy must be powerful when they had excited such
indignation at the Court of Rome.
But Fra Paolo felt no satisfaction when it was reported that Poma
and his accomplices had been imprisoned at Rome; it transpired, how-
ever later ' that Parasio only had been placed in close custody in the
prisons of the Inquisition, on account of his violent language against
the Court in regard to the non--fulfilment of the promises which had
been made to him and to his accomplices. Throughout Contarini's
1 Rome, 19th July 1608.
H
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? 162 THE LIFE OF ' [AD. 160? .
letters the same desire to discover these assassins continues and the
whole of the despatches are of great interest.
Letters of the Ambassador Contarini.
" To the Council of Ten,
" Most Serene Prince,
" To what I wrote last post I respectfully add by one, who knows
him very well.
" Poma was seen here in Rome one Sunday at the Trinit'a di Monte,
an out of the way place, and of small resort, together with a lad,
supposed to be his son, with an old man, and another with red hair,
his servant. I know that this servant goes every week with a billet
to the register of the Venice post to receive letters which, with a
feigned direction, are addressed to the said Poma. For many days I
'have been pondering on the mode of having these letters Withheld;
but I do not find it safe, for this register, named Simon Bigozzi, is a
Florentine; nor do I rely on trusting this foreigner, appointed I know
not how to this charge, the which, as all the couriers are our subjects,
ought likewise to be held by one, for he sees, handles, receives, distri-
butes, and notes all the letters; and in many instances it would prove
very convenient, the having there a confidential person. I have confid-
ed the detail about those letters of Poma to Pietro Basis, an old
courier, and who is the vice--master of the couriers in 'their house
here; charging him on his life's peril, in the name of your most
excellent Council, to keep it secret, desiring him to act with caution,
so as to obtain and bring them to me; but he has not been able to
do this, wherefore I give respectful notice thereof to your Excellen- -
cies, so that such resolve shall be taken as may be deemed best, and
in order that your Lordship may know that I fail not to do as much
as I am permitted, by the manner wherewith we must act under
existing circumstances. It was a great light to me the information I
received from your Excellencies, about the two dismissed Franciscan
friars, when His Holiness spoke to me on the subject. As I write to
the most excellent Senate, it was of great use, as enabling me to speak
resolutely, which causeth the Pontiff not to push the matter further,
or make any other reply. Gratiae, etc. "
Again: "The imprisonment of Alessandro Parasio is confirmed, in
whose name, and in whose favour, as it has been told me, M. Napi
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? Ar. 56. ] FRA PAOLO SARPI. 163
likewise a native of Ancona, spoke a few days since to the Cardinal
Borghese about some acknowledgment for the services rendered, but
not having obtained too favourable an answer, and reporting this to
Alessandro Parasio, it/made him fly into the greatest wrath; and he
protested that he would go into Turkey, using other similar language,
as usual with a man dissatisfied and desperate as it were. Monsieur Napi,
though the friend and confidant of the said Parasio, and who moreover
sought him every advantage, on hearing this, had more regard for his
own than for his neighbour's interest, and so went and told the whole
in detail to the Cardinal Borghese, who immediately betook himself to
the Pontiff, where the business being discussed, it was determined that
this Monsignore should be the medium for his getting into the hands
of the Sbirri, as took place; and Monsignore Fonti, the Cardinal Bor-
ghese's auditor, served to point him to the Barigello, who arrested him
on Sunday the 8th, immediately on his coming out of S. Sylvester's
Church, at Monte Cavallo, and having instantly put him into a car-
riage, hehlrasltaken to 'Borgo' to the prisons of the Inquisition. I
understand that it is being endeavoured to obtain certain writings which
he denies hdving kept. I
"By great diligence," the Contarini, "had become acquainted with
the feigned names under which the letters were addressed from Venice
to Rodolfa Poma. Of two of them he says. 'The which, having first
copied and rescaled, I caused to be returned to their address, in order
not to create suspicion,' They Were letters from Poma's cloistered
daughters, signed Hipolita Poma, from Padua, January 14th, 1608;
there were also two other letters, which were forwarded to the Council.
The letters Were addressed to Carlo Gattardo, Silvestro Ridolfi, Frede-
rico Bolucci, Paulo de Santi, Paulo Bortolaeci, and the above copies
were sent to the Doge by Contarini. Y'
" Most Serene Prince,
v
" Herewith your Serenity will receive the substance of what Matteo . .
JWJ 1:
Schiavon, one of the boatmen who rowed Poma, stated to my secretary
' on two occasions, when he went to seek him in his apartments, and
likewise what Tomeo di Zanon, the owner of the shallop, told a person,
my confidant, for I did not allow him to come, as he wanted to do,
and speak here in the palace, ' both on account of the different nature
of his sentence, and because little else could have been elicited from
'. e. N'? 3- '
'' pp
la'? !
1 To the Council of Ten, 2nd February, 1608, from Rome.
5 The Venetian ambassador's palace, called S. Mark's, Rome.
u&\
13. 1
M'; .
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? 164 _ THE LIFE OF [A. D. 1608.
him, in addition to what has been obtained from other sources. From
these two expositions, should they contain nothing else of importance,
your. Serenity will at least learn concerning Poma, how he keeps hid-
den, and his situation- (as I moreover have written heretofore), how
much he endeavours to remove these men to a distance, and the
confirmation of what I have previously hinted at, that Alessandro de
Franceschi is his agent, and has held intercourse with him since last
June or July, when the said Rodolfo Poma was at Rome, and when
he left a servant of his in his house, who, immediately after the deed,
went to meet him with a supply of money at Ancona.
_ " It seems he has some intention of returning home; should I become
11' Z17 aware of his reaching it, I will give account thereof to your Excel-
-/~~ lencies, of the mode whereby the said Matteo took to come and speak
with the Secretary, who was very cautious; so that he has not even
a -thought of its having been wished for. Then with regard to the
, statement of that other, namely of Tomeo, the whole is rendered intel-
ligible by the statement itself. " 'QQG
Here follows the statement of Matteo Schiavon. Ibid,-oamthe 24th
February, at Rome, in St. Mark's Palace. A
"Matteo Schiavon, boatman, one of those who rowed Poma, having
come by stealth to my apartments, I, Vittor Barbaro, Secretary of
the Ambassador Contarini, at the second hour of the night, told him
I was glad to see him well, but was sorry for his troubles, and to
give him confidence to speak freely, I added that I considered it
certain he had been deceived, and that one might moreover argue
thus from the nature of his sentence, and the clemency of the
alternative.
"Jwhereupon, bewailing his fate, and the misery of his wife and
W0? four children in Venice, and to his having been in fact
deceived and betrayed, he commenced speaking to me confidentially,
and told me in substance:
"The Signor Bidolfo Hma disappeared from Venice last July, in
I A"; consequence of failure -on the mart. One day unexpectedly he stood
Lb 'before me and said, 'Villain, what art thou doing? ' I answered,
"*7 Z '-God be praised, for -that certain foolfli people, who speaking about#&
' you, said you had failed, lied by the throat. ' He asked me whether
J I could -go with him to Padua. I answered 'Yes;' and we went there
4 "H with the gondola. He went about to one monastery and the other,
LL and came lg-ac_k to Venice; and returned in a Paduan boat which towed
the gondola, whither he took four girls of his into convents; and his
Sister di Gollardi and two maid servants accompanied them. In
returning, we took up the Chaplain of the Nuns of Santa Giustina at
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? arr 56. ] FRA PAOLO SABPI 165
la Mira, and came on merrily to "Venice. It strikes me that the
Chaplain subsequently saved some of his property. He asked me whe-
ther I would go to Loretto with him, and that he would moreover go'
as far as Bitonto, I said 'yes,' but that I must have a little money
at home/'He said he had not got any, so I, who served a grocer with
my gondola, in order to pay it off, for it had been made at his cost,
took eighteen ducats from another gondolier, and made it over to him
for him to pay for. This money I left at home; and having taken
these clothes which are now on my back, I went to Poma; and at the
water entrance of his house,\Ma embarked in a gondola by day three
or four little coffers, which I for my part thought was money he was
carrying away, and was that for---w-ls-i-oh he had failed. Being thus two
oars, namely myself and Paulo de Santa Giustina, he said to us, "I
don't choose to be seen getting into the gondola here at the entrance;
so while I go and look after the shallop on the Bio of S. Anna, do'
you go and wait for me at the FondamentLNuovQ_and don't go away,
for I shall soon be there. ' 1 We waited as ordered; Lbecame thirsty,
and would not go so far as my home, but sent to buy a little ,,y? ne;"
then came Fra Michel Viti, and inquired for Poma, saying, '
come yet? ' We told him 'no,' and he got into the gondola to Wait
E
'. A'
juncle "
5
' . - . h ' ''
for him. " I have asked him whether Poma was really
uncle; and he told me that he called him so, and that he knew nothing
J
further; and he continued: " Subsequently Poma came, with his usual A S
cloak wrapped up to his eyes, and said, 'Are you here my lads? '
"He got into the gondola desiring us to go towards the castle, and
said, 'I also will row a little,' and having laid down his cloak and'
a blunderbuss which he Had himself fitted on the crutch, the second
astern, began rowing. We were at a very little distance from the
Fonda/r\nentQ_ and two men came up who also called out, 'Sir, take
us also. ' Poma made us return to the quay, and we brought them
off without any tumult of people, or any one. He made us'go to the
cottage beyond the Certosa, apparently the edge of the lagoons at the
back of the Castle of S. Andrea' in fact on a strip of the Lido, across
which the murderers then made their way to the beach, - where the
shallop was waiting for them) and they disembarked, and there 'on
shore they came towards us, the Signor Alessandro Parasio 'with the'
J\'-fins-1
1 The date of the conversation here detailed was October 5th, 1607. "On the'
evening of which day, about an hour before sunset, Poma and-his accomplices' '
attacked Fra Paolo Sarpi at the bridge of S. Fosca, close to the Monastery of r
the Servites. The Bio of S. Anna, which Poma mentions as a stand for shal-
lops, 1607, continued such till very lately, and runs parallel to the public}
gardens towards the land entry. ' '
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